2013 Signing Class

2013 Ohio State Football Signing Class

The 2013 Ohio State football signing class is being called one of the best in the history of OSU football.

The class was a consensus second-best in the nation behind only Alabama. If this class lives up to its potential it will be a watershed class that raises the Urban Meyer-coached Buckeyes to an elite level.

This 23-member class features one five-star player in Vonn Bell, 19 four-star players, and three three-star players.

Vonn Bell is a five-star prospect ranked the second-best safety prospect in the nation and 26th-best prospect overall. He is rated the fourth-best prospect in the state of Georgia. As a high school senior Bell had 146 tackles and three interceptions and on offense had over 1,700 all-purpose yards and scored 21 touchdowns. As a junior he had 119 tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles. Bell has the potential to be an immediate impact player and has all the earmarks of a three-year player. Bell was recruited by the cream of college football including Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss,Texas, UCLA and Vanderbilt.

Vonn Bell Video

Jalin Marshall
Wide Receiver
Middletown HS
Middletown, Oh.
5-11, 205

About Jalin Marshall

Jalin Marshall is a four-star prospect who is ranked the fourth-best receiver in the nation and the 35th-best prospect over. He is rated the best prospect in the state of Ohio. Marshall was a high school quarterback who was definitely known more for what he could do with his legs than his arm. He rushed for a school-record 4,759 yards during his career, including more than 1,400 yards as a senior with 14 TDs. Marshall was recruited by Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Notre Dame, Pitt, Tennessee, UCLA, Alabama, Florida, Oregon and West Virginia.

Joey Bosa is a four-star prospect rated the 4th-best strong side defensive end in the nation and the 37th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the ninth-best prospect in Florida. Bosa’s father John was a first-round NFL draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in 1987 as an offensive lineman. His mother Cheryl is an Ohio State graduate and an uncle, Eric Kumerow, was a star LB for the Buckeyes between 1984-87 and a 1987 co-captain. Bosa is strong against the run but has the reputation of being a ferocious pass rusher. He has the size, speed, athleticism and technique to contribute early at Ohio State. Bosa was recruited by Alabama, Boston College, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, South Florida, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Miami (Florida), Michigan State, Texas and others.

Joey Bosa Video

Eli Apple
Cornerback
Eastern HS
Voorhees, N. J.
6-1, 185

About Eli Apple

Eli Apple is a four-star prospect who is rated the fifth-best cornerback prospect nationally and the 48th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the second-best prospect in New Jersey. Apple was originally known as Eli Woodard but changed his last name in respect for his step father. He had 17 pass break-ups, two interceptions, 45 tackles, three forced fumbles and a blocked kick as a senior in 2012. On offense he had 39 receptions for 770 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver. Apple was recruited by Alabama, Boston College, Cal, Georgia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin and others.

Eli Apple Video

Mike Mitchell
Linebacker
Prestonwood HS
Plano, Tx.
6-4, 222

About Mike Mitchell

Mike Mitchell is a four-star prospect who is rated the sixth-best outside linebacker prospect and 58th-best overall. He is ranked the 10th-best prospect in Texas. He recorded 151 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior and then totaled 186 tackles, 32 tackles-for-loss (11 of them sacks), seven forced fumbles and even returned a kickoff for a touchdown as a senior. Mitchell was recruited by Arizona, Baylor, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, Oregon, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington, UCLA, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and others.

Mike Mitchell Video

Cameron Burrows
Cornerback
Trotwood Madison
Dayton, Oh.
6-0, 195

About Cameron Burrows

Cameron Burrows is a four-star prospect who is ranked the eighth-best cornerback prospect nationally and 62nd-best prospect overall. He is rated the second-best prospect in Ohio. Burrows helped lead Trotwood Madison to three consecutive Division II state championship games, including an unbeaten, 15-0 state-title winning season in 2011. He had 14 pass break-ups as a senior in 2012 and also had 39 tackles. Burrows was recruited by Boston College, Cincinnati, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, UCLA, Wisconsin, Alabama, Oklahoma and others.

Cameron Burrows Video

Ezekiel Elliott
Running Back
John Burroughs HS
St. Louis, Mo.
6-0 212

About Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elliott is a four-star prospect who is ranked the fifth-best all purpose back and 69th-best prospect overall. As a senior in 2012 Elliott put up huge statistics with 3,061 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns including 2,155 rush yards and 40 rushing touchdowns. He also had 16 receptions for 383 yards. Elliott rushed for 1,802 yards and 34 touchdowns and caught 23 passes for 401 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. He has sprinter’s speed to go the distance but also has the power to break tackles. Elliott capped his high school career by winning four state championships at the Missouri Class 3 state track championships in 2-1/2 hours (in the 100, 200, 110 high hurdles and 300 hurdles). He will probably redshirt as Carlos Hyde’s understudy. His father played linebacker at Missouri and his mother was a track athlete at Missouri. He was recruited hard by the Tigers but ended up a Buckeye. He was also recruited by Arizona State, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, North Carolina State, Northern Illinois, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Texas, Tennessee, Texas Tech, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wisconsin, Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Penn State and others.

Ezekiel Elliott Video

Dontre Wilson
Running Back
DeSoto HS
DeSoto, Tx
5-10, 181

About Dontre Wilson

Dontre Wilson is a four-star prospect who is rated the 6th-best all-purpose back in the nation and 70th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the ninth-best prospect in Texas. As a senior Wilson rushed for 1,895 yards and 37 touchdowns and caught 37 passes for 750 yards and nine scores. Wilson finished his high school career with over 3,200 rushing yards, 1,200 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns. He was a high school running back but could play wide receiver or the hybrid h-back position in college. He probably needs to get a little bigger to be an every-down player in college but should get bigger with maturity. Wilson was recruited by Oregon, Texas, Baylor, Arkansas, Clemson, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Texas A&M, USC, Texas and others.

Dontre Wilson Video

Evan Lisle
Offensive Line
Centerville HS
Dayton, Oh.
6-5, 260

About Evan Lisle

Evan Lisle is a four-star prospect who is rated the sixth-best offensive tackle prospect in the nation and the 76th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the fourth-best prospect in Ohio. He was the only Ohioan named to the 2012 USA Today All-America team. He was also named to the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Lisle was recruited by Alabama, Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Kentucky, Miami (Florida), Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Toledo, West Virginia, Michigan State, Wisconsin and others.

Evan Lisle Video

Marcus Baugh
Tight End
John W. North HS
Riverside, Ca.
6-4, 225

About Marcus Baugh

Marcus Baugh is a four-star prospect who is the fourth-ranked tight end in the nation and 85th-ranked player overall. He is rated the eighth-best prospect in California. His senior season included 38 receptions for 610 yards and he was named second-team Division II all-state. As a junior he caught 30 passes for 528 yards and seven touchdowns and was also used as a wide receiver, running back and linebacker. Baugh was recruited by Arizona State, Cal, Florida, Hawaii, Miami (Florida), Nebraska, Ole Miss, Oregon State, UCLA, Washington, Alabama and USC.

Trey Johnson is a four-star prospect who is ranked the second-best outside linebacker prospect in the nation and the 108th-best prospect overall. He is rated the 11th-best prospect in Georgia. Johnson recorded 456 career tackles for Central Gwinnett. As a senior he had 140 tackles and four sacks and as a junior he had 164 tackles including 25 tackles-for-loss. Johnson was recruited by Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama, Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (Florida), Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina and USC.

Trey Johnson Video

J. T. Barrett
Quarterback
Rider HS
Wichita Falls, Tx.
6-2, 205

About J.T. Barrett

J.T. Barrett is a four-star prospect who is rated the second-best dual threat quarterback in the nation and the 137th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the 17th-best prospect in Texas. Barrett enrolled at Ohio State in January 2013. He is able to work out but not run while recovering from his 2012 knee surgery. Barrett was considered one of the nation’s premier dual threat quarterbacks in the Class of 2013 but his senior season came to an early end with a knee injury in the fifth game of the season. Barrett rushed for 569 yards with seven touchdowns and passed for 784 yards and five scores as a senior prior to the injury. He rushed for over 1,500 yards with nine touchdowns and passed for over 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. Barrett was recruited by Arizona, Baylor, Illinois, Kansas, LSU, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Missouri, Oklahoma and others.

J.T. Barrett Video

Gareon Conley
Cornerback
Washington HS
Massilon, Ohio
6-0, 195

About Gareon Conley

Gareon Conley is a four-star prospect who is rated the 15th-best cornerback prospect nationally and the 146th-best player overall. He is ranked the eighth-best prospect in Ohio. As as a senior Conley caught 50 passes, averaged 21.9 yards per catch and scored 16 touchdowns, while on defense he had 13 pass break-ups, an interception and 25 tackles. He recorded four interceptions and 30 tackles as a junior. Conley played both ways in high school but is seen as a defensive player at the college level. He has strong cover skills that fit OSU’s preference for man to man defense on outside receivers. Conley was recruited by Michigan, Cincinnati, Kent State, Northwestern, Toledo, West Virginia, Indiana, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Gareon Conley Video

Michael Hill
Defensive Tackle
Pendleton HS
Pendleton, S.C.
6-2, 315

About Michael Hill

Michael Hill is a four-star prospect who is rated that 15th-best defensive tackle prospect in the nation and the 177th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the second-best prospect in South Carolina. Hill had an unfortunate end to his senior season, injuring a hand in the eighth game that caused him to miss the remainder of the season and all post-season all-star games. Hill was dominant as a junior while playing in the middle of Pendleton’s line. He recorded 25 tackles-for-losses and 81 total tackles despite persistent double-teams against him. He also had six sacks as a junior and had four as a senior before his injury. Hill was recruited by Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Auburn and others.

Michael Hill Video

Billy PriceDefensive Tackle
Fitch HS
Youngstown, Oh.
6-4, 300

About Billy Price

Billy Price is a four-star prospect who is rated the 18th-best defensive tackle prospect in the nation and the 206th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the 11th-best prospect in Ohio. Price was named first-team all-state as a junior when he recorded 40 tackles with three sacks, 10 TFLs and an interception. As a senior he placed seventh in the discus at the 2012 Ohio outdoor state track and field meet after placing sixth in the shot and second in the weight throw indoors. He is being recruited as a defensive tackle but also played offense in high school. Some scouts think his future might be on the offensive line as a guard or center. He is extremely strong and is a hard-nosed player. Price was recruited by Arizona, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pitt, Tennessee, UCLA, West Virginia and others.

Billy Price Video

Jayme ThompsonSafety
Central Catholic HS
Toledo. Oh.
6-2, 190

About Jayme Thompson

Jayme Thompson is a four-star prospect rated the 19th-best safety prospect in the nation and 220th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the 15th-best prospect in Ohio. Thompson was an Associated Press all-state pick as a senior when he had 48 tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries. He also helped Central to the state playoffs in 2011 and was a second-team AP all-Ohio pick. Thompson played at St. Francis DeSales in Toledo prior to attending Central Catholic as a junior and senior. In addition to football Thompson practiced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu throughout high school.

Jayme Thompson Video

James Clark
Wide Receiver
New Smyrna Bch HS
New Smyrna, Fl
5-10, 170

About James Clark

James Clark is a four-star prospect rated the 32nd-best wide receiver prospect in the nation and the 226th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the 31st-best prospect in the state of Florida. Clark totaled 87 receptions for 1,954 yards and 29 total touchdowns for his career. He had 49 receptions for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior and had 28 catches for 576 yards as a junior. He has sprinter’s speed and is outstanding as well in track. Clark had a 100-meter dash best of 10.48 and placed fifth in the 100 and sixth in the 200 at the 2012 Florida outdoor state track championships. Clark was recruited by Clemson, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Auburn, Duke, Florida International, Florida, Illinois, Iowa State, Kentucky, Miami (Florida), Mississippi State, Rutgers, Penn State, Tennessee, University of Central Florida, Texas and Vanderbilt.

Corey Smith is a junior college transfer who is originally from Smith from Akron Buchtel High School. Smith entered junior college out of high school and played on an unbeaten (10-0) Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College team in 2011 before the college discontinued the program after 80 years. Smith had 28 receptions for 438 yards and two touchdowns for Grand Rapids. Smith then transferred and played for East Mississippi C.C., located in Scooba, Mississippi. In 2012 he recorded 51 receptions for 733 yards and nine touchdowns. He is ranked the fourth-best JUCO wide receiver prospect and 11th-best JUCO prospect overall. He was recruited by Mississippi State, Georgia, Louisville, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Auburn, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Old Miss, West Virginia and others.

Donovan Munger is a four-star prospect who is ranked the 25th-best defensive tackle prospect in the nation and the 285th-best prospect overall. He is rated the 18th-best prospect in Ohio. Munger was a two-way player in high school playing both offensive tackle and defensive tackle. He has the size to play on either side of the ball but is very athletic for a big man so will most likely end up on the defensive side of the ball. His senior year in high school he helped his team to a 8-2 record by recording 70 tackles, including 14 tackles-for-loss with six quarterback sacks and 23 pressures . Munger also had 34 pancake blocks on offense. Munger was recruited by Florida State, UCLA, Auburn, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota, Stanford, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Pitt, Tennessee, Washington. West Virginia, Michigan, Oregon, Michigan State, USC and others.

Donovan Munger Video

Tyquan LewisDefensive End
Tarboro HS
Tarboro, N.C.
6-4, 227

About Tyquan Lewis

Tyquan Lewis is a four-star prospect rated the 10th-best defensive end nationally and that 286th-best prospect overall. He is ranked the seventh-best prospect in North Carolina. Lewis finished his senior season with 13 sacks and was named to the Associated Press all-state team. He had 12 sacks among his 63 tackles as a junior. Lewis was recruited by Auburn, Clemson, Duke, East Carolina, LSU, Missouri, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

Tyquan Lewis Video

Chris WorleyAthlete
Glenville HS
Cleveland, Oh
6-3, 190

About Chris Worley

Chris Worley is a four-star prospect who is rated the 27th-best Athlete in the country and the 501st-best prospect overall. He is ranked the 28th-best prospect in Ohio. Worley led Glenville to an 8-2 record his senior season by recording 89 tackles with nine sacks, five interception returns for touchdowns and five forced fumbles. For his career he had 161 tackles, 13 sacks, eight interceptions and seven forced fumbles . Worley was recruited by Arkansas, Bowling Green, Florida State, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Michigan State, Pitt and West Virginia.

Chris Worley Video

Darron LeeAthlete
New Albany HS
New Albany, Oh.
6-3, 205

About Darron Lee

Darron Lee is a three-star prospect who is ranked the 42nd-best Athlete in the nation and 633rd-best prospect overall. He is rated the 36th-best prospect in Ohio. Lee played quarterback and safety in high school and excelled at both positions, but is most likely destined for the defensive side of the ball in college. As a senior he recorded five interceptions with three punt return touchdowns and accounted for over 1,700 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns. Lee was recruited by Arizona State, Boston College, Duke, Cincinnati, Illinois, Kansas State, Marshall, Miami (Ohio), Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Ohio U, Purdue, Toledo and West Virginia.

Darron Lee Video

Tracy SprinkleDefensive End
Elyria HS
Elyria, Oh
6-4, 250

About Tracy Sprinkle

Tracy Sprinkle is a three-star prospect who is rated the 31st-best strong side defensive end in the nation and the 639nth-best prospect overall. He is ranked the 37th-best prospect in Ohio. Sprinkle recorded 19 sacks and 30 total tackles-for-loss among his 103 tackles as a senior. Over his last two seasons of high school play he had a total of 27 sacks. Sprinkle was recruited by Arizona State, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Syracuse, Toledo, Alabama, Duke, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon and Wisconsin.